If everyone in New York City washed their laundry in cold water for just one day, the energy savings could be 5.7 million kwh. Enough to power every light in the Empire State building for an entire month.

I actually cannot figure out why most people don't already wash their clothes in cold water. Our family always has, and we've gotten by just fine. We're also lucky enough to have a roomy basement, so we hang-dry all our clothes too.